Florida Gov. Charlie Crist enjoys a stratospheric 73 - 9 percent job approval rating, but Florida
voters are split about how he and lawmakers should lower their property taxes, according to a
Quinnipiac University poll released today. The Republican Governor, in office three months,
wins the approval of 71 percent of Democrats, 82 percent of Republicans and 71 percent of
independent voters.

The total tax burden in Florida is too high, 52 percent of voters say, and 51 percent say this
tax burden is higher than in other states, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack)
University poll finds. But voters are split on how to bring taxes under control:

Eliminating local property taxes and replacing them with a state tax is a "bad idea," voters
say 51 - 34 percent;

Voters support 69 - 23 percent reducing local government spending to 2001 levels;

Voters say 63 - 28 percent that the sales tax is more fair than the property tax.

"Not only is Gov. Crist's approval rating out of sight, he still has room to grow since
almost one in five Floridians haven't made up their mind about him yet. Even Democrats give
him thumbs up by a eight-to-one margin," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac
University Polling Institute.

"Florida voters think he kept his word to lower their property insurance rates and are
optimistic he will do the same to their property taxes," Brown added.

In an open-ended question, allowing for any answer, 19 percent of Florida voters cite taxes
as the biggest problem facing the state, followed by 15 percent who list property insurance, 10
percent who say education and 6 percent for immigration.

A total of 60 percent of Florida voters say it is "very likely" or "somewhat likely" that
Gov. Crist and state lawmakers will agree on a plan to cut property taxes, with 32 percent of
voters expecting tax cuts of up to 10 percent and 30 percent expecting cuts of 10 - 20 percent.

In general, there was little difference on these questions in the responses from
homeowners, who make up almost 80 percent of the sample, and renters.

But on the question that found Florida voters willing 49 - 40 percent to accept fewer local
government services in exchange for lower property taxes, renters said no 44 - 40 percent.

By a narrow 46 - 44 percent margin, Florida voters support repealing the constitutional
amendment that gives long-time homeowners a property tax break. But voters support 62 - 28
percent an amendment that would allow those homeowners to take part of that savings with them
if they move.

Voters say 70 - 24 percent that property tax relief should be extended to small businesses,
but 63 percent oppose extending tax relief to renters and 54 percent oppose extending it to
landlords.

From March 21 - 27, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,061 Florida voters, with a margin
of error of +/- 3.0 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio and the
nation as a public service and for research.

For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x271.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

19. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Charlie Crist is handling his job
as Governor?

One would reduce local government spending to near 2001, pre-real estate boom
levels and use the savings to finance property tax cuts. Local governments
could spend more but they would have to vote to do so.

Do you support or oppose your local government reducing spending to 2001
levels to help lower property taxes?

30b. The other part of that plan would eliminate all property taxes on primary
residences and replace the lost revenue with a sales tax increase of 2.5 cents,
bringing the total sales tax in Florida to 8.5 cents on the dollar.

Do you support or oppose raising the sales tax to 8.5 cents to help lower
property taxes?

31. Supporters of this combined proposal say that tourists contribute about 25
percent of Florida's sales tax revenue and this proposal would pass some of the
tax burden on to them. Opponents of this combined proposal say it would force
local governments to cut basic services.

Which comes closer to your point of view:
A) It is more important to get tourists to finance some of our tax burden, OR
B) It is more important to maintain basic government services?

34. Currently, longtime homeowners pay lower property taxes than neighbors
with homes of equal value who bought more recently.
Should the length of time that a person has lived in their house affect the
amount of property taxes that a person pays or should taxes be based on
property value alone?

TREND: Currently, longtime homeowners pay lower property taxes than neighbors
with homes of equal value who bought more recently. Should the length of time
that a person has lived in their house effect the amount of property taxes that
a person pays or should taxes be based on property value alone?

Mar 29 Feb 6 Dec 20
2007 2007 2006

Length of time 35 32 39
Property value 57 59 53
DK/NA 8 9 9

35. Would you support or oppose a constitutional amendment to eliminate the one
that gives longtime homeowners lower tax bills?

37. Florida homeowners who qualify for the Homestead tax exemption currently
pay property taxes on $25,000 less than their home's assessed value. Governor
Crist wants to double the exemption to $50,000 less than a home's assessed
property value. Do you support or oppose that proposal?

TREND: Florida homeowners who qualify for the Homestead tax exemption currently
pay property taxes on $25,000 less than their home's assessed value. Governor
Christ wants to double the exemption to $50,000 less than a home's assessed
property value. Do you support or oppose that proposal?

Mar 29 Feb 6
2007 2007

Support 73 77
Oppose 21 15
DK/NA 6 7

38. How likely is it that the state legislature and Governor Crist will be able
to agree on a plan that will cut property taxes - Very likely, somewhat likely,
not too likely or not likely at all?

39. Should the legislature and Governor Crist agree on a property tax cut plan,
Do you expect it will lead to average property tax cuts of -
A)Less than 10 percent, B)10 to 20 percent, C)20 to 40 percent OR
D)Elimination of the property tax

40. Some Florida leaders want to call a special election to decide on a property
tax cut proposal. The special election will cost about 19 million dollars but
could result in hundreds of millions of dollars in tax reductions this year.

Do you think there should be a special election this year or should the state
wait until the next regularly scheduled election in 2008?